Secrets Of Third Base

14

By the time they arrive at the stadium, Cade is nursing a full-on breakdown.

"What's wrong?" She finally asks.

"They're gonna cut me if I keep doing this." He says, voice cracking

She doesn't know how, but she somehow believes this truly isn't in his control.

It's 5:00 now, well beyond the arrival cutoff.

She can't bring him to the field like this. Broken. Hurt. Confused.

"Come into my office. Take some time to get in your right head space. I will talk to Elliott and Dan." She offers.

Cade scoffs. "It doesn't work like that."

"I am the medical lead on staff. I can say you aren't fit to play. I don't want to, but I can. Right now, you are not fit to play." She says sternly.

It's not untrue. If someone has to physically be shaken out of a drug induced sleep, they should be nowhere near balls flying 95 miles per hour.

Cade looks angry for half a second, but his face falls fast.

"You're right." He agrees.

"Thank you. Bring your stuff in. I'm going to let the guys know you're here."

There are half a dozen pairs of eyes that watch her when she makes her way down the stairs onto the field.

Cam is the first to meet her, Elliott close behind.

"He's here." She says before anyone can ask.

They continue to stare

"He is up in my office. I told him to stay in my office and eat something before he came down."

They look skeptical. Dan, who was watching from afar, sighs audibly.

"Is he okay?" Cam asks.

She shrugs.

"I don't know." She says honestly.

They seem to understand.

"Just get him down here soon." Elliott says.

She agrees. She is then left alone with Cam.

"Let me know if I need to go drag him down." He says.

She nods and then makes her way back up to check on him herself.

She gives herself a pep talk in the hallway before entering the room.

Cade is leaning back in a chair, staring blankly at the wall.

"Hey." She says and closes the door behind her.

"Hey." He responds.

He looks so lost. Every time she sees that expression, she wants to fall and break into a million pieces.

She pulls up a chair next to him. He hasn't touched his food or his drinks.

"You aren't a fuck-up." She says.

He is looking at her, but she can tell his mind is miles away.

She takes his hand. That seems to ground him just a tad. With her other hand, she slides the food and beverages closer to him.

"You're going to be okay tonight. You're Caden Belmount. You run this league."

Finally, his eyes dial in on hers.

"I took that stuff at 5 am." He says.

It's almost involuntary when she blurts out, "Why?"

Cade sighs.